October3, 2014

October 3, 2014

Dear Neighbor,

It’s been six months since Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi was arrested for accidentally crossing the border into Mexico with three legally registered firearms. He’s sat in a Mexican prison ever since without any treatment for the PTSD that he suffers from. This week, a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee held a hearing on Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi. At the hearing, I questioned how ironic it was that our Administration can negotiate with the Taliban to secure the release of a missing soldier, but no one from the Administration could pick up a telephone to get our Marine back. That is simply unacceptable and inexcusable. I’ve introduced H Res 620 to call on the Government of Mexico to immediately release Sgt. Tahmooressi and return him to the U.S. to allow him to receive care for his PTSDand to call on President Obama to do all that he can to secure his release. At the hearing, the Subcommittee’s leadership announced that he would move this bill along when Congress returns. In the interim, it’s long past time for the Administration to stand up, pick up the phone to our southern neighbor and demand that we bring our fellow brother back to American soil where he can get the treatment he deserves.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve traveled around the Second District to visit with constituents and hear your thoughts and concerns about what’s going on around the world. I also traveled to Brooks County last week to speak directly with local law enforcement and ranchers to get an update on the continuing crisis at our southern border. There, I saw firsthand just how porous our border is, so much so that the Texas National Guard was able to specifically point out where the illegal crossings are happening. And still, the Administration refuses to address or even acknowledge this problem. This is a threat to our national security and a drain on our resources – and it must be fixed immediately.

Here are a few pictures from my recent trip to Brooks County:

Congressman Poe with Brooks County Texas Sheriff Rey Rodriguez and Deputy Sheriff Benny Martinez in front of a damaged cattle fence in Brooks County

Congressman Poe with Brooks County Deputy Sheriff Benny Martinez

Being shown by the Texas National Guard where illegal crossing is happening

Congressman Poe meets with the Texas National Guard at the Rio Grande to learn about Operation Strong Safety

Congressman Poe discusses the situation along the Rio Grande with DPS Commander Rodriguez

Congressman Poe tours the southern border with the Texas National Guard

Congressman Poe views the movements of illegal border crossers from a Texas National Guard forward operating base along the US-Mexico border